Best women's cycling shorts 2024 ridden and rated

Along with a good women's bike saddle, good shorts are probably the single most important element when it comes to ensuring comfort on your rides. 

The shorts need to fit you well, with padding in the correct place, no irritating seams, leg grippers that don't over-squeeze yet still keep the shorts in place and fabrics that work well in terms of breathability, wicking and durability. All within your budget. After that, features like color, reflective details, pockets etc. can also be considered.

The first big big question, however, is whether you opt for bib shorts or non-bib shorts. Both styles have their pros and cons, so we delve into that and other useful FAQs in the advice section at the end of the article.

Below, we've listed our picks of the best cycling shorts for women along with the comments and assessments made by the testers.

The quick list

The best women's cycling shorts 2024: Our picks

Best overall

With an understated design and minimal branding, the Signature shorts from the American brand Velocio are stylish in their subtly, yet highly functional. 

The top-notch performance is delivered thanks to a chamois pad that is designed to provide comfort on long rides and Lycra that is both figure-hugging and breathable. 

Practicality isn’t overlooked with the FlyFree design allowing you to go to the loo without having to take all your layers off, and the mesh front panel which is an additional highly breathable layer, ideal for added support when un-zipping your jersey on a hot ride. 

They aren't the cheapest on test, especially when compared to the likes of the dhb Aeron bib shorts, but we feel that the performance and practicality of the shorts easily justified the splurge. 

Read more: Velocio Women’s Signature Bib Short full review

Best value

The Core Collection from Rapha is designed for the everyday; less fancy, more rugged and more affordable than most of the Rapha range.

The Women's Core Bib Shorts are a straightforward design and we found they were extremely comfortable; everything just does what it's supposed to. The chamois is a dense dual-foam which we found copes well with a few hours in the saddle. 

The Core's material is quite thick which makes them nice and durable and up to the lack of care and attention that comes with the daily commute or mid-week ride. The design of the bib section gives you quite a tucked-in and snug feeling which could be a bit too much if you're riding in warmer weather.  

Read more: Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts full review

Best for long rides

In its 2022 UMA GTV shorts, Assos has moved the easy-pee access from the front to the rear, and used two clasps rather than one. It all makes for a simpler comfort break and helps distribute any strain on fabrics more evenly. Our tester found it to be one of the easier-to-use designs she's experienced.     

It's not surprising that the shorts feature Assos' classic X-frame and the chamois boasts goldenGate; both are winning features and make for a supremely comfortable short.

The Elastic Interface chamois is exceptionally supportive - certainly well suited to endurance riding.

Fabrics are robust while remaining light and breathable, the medium pair only weighs 35g more than Velocio's Ultralights. Odor control and active cooling are integrated into the fabric, rather than via any kind of treatment. The overall finish is a deep, dark black, and UPF 50 protection. We loved that the leg grippers anchor the shorts firmly in place without over-compressing the thighs.

While anyone who appreciates quality and comfort will enjoy using these shorts, we think that out of the four we've tested recently, these are the best choice for performance-orientated endurance riders.

Read more: Assos Women's UMA GTV Bib Shorts C2 full review

Best for warm weather

Understated comfort jumps to mind when you pull on Velocio's Ultralight Bib Shorts. The medium we tested weighed just 150g, making them perfect for those who enjoy warm weather training on a regular basis, or who ride indoors a lot. 

Velocio's FlyFree makes comfort breaks possible, though we'd advise sizing up to make things less of a wriggle affair. 

The pad's breathability matches the fabric's, so it's ideal for intense workouts while still offering decent support for longer rides.

Unlike most of Velocio's range, the Ultralights don't use recycled fabrics. We thought the shorts felt rougher than the others we reviewed, though it wasn't noticeable once we were riding in them. Velocio claims that the fabric is only 140 grams per metre, yet totally opaque. 

Our tester had a few issues at a side seam, thankfully none at the rear, so we'd definitely recommend sizing up if you think your hips are bigger than average - Velocio's chart only uses height and weight, no hip or waist metrics. If you are concerned about potential transparency Velocio's own Signature Bibs might be worth considering, though they won't be quite as breathable.

Read more: Velocio Women's Ultralight Bib Short full review

Best for comfort

At first glance, it would be easy to overlook the Sportful Women's Classic Bib Shorts. There's no fancy fabrics, no new-fangled features and no elaborate easy-pee system.  Even Sportful has held back on the marketing hyperbole. But don't let this mislead you, the Sportful Classics are an outstanding set of bib shorts.

We found that the material used is nice and lightweight with a gentle compressive feel, they just slip on your legs and feel like they should have always been there. The long leg has the silicon gripper applied straight to it so there's no hem or band to be overly restrictive, overly loose or chafe. 

The bibs are a lightweight mesh and sit comfortably over the shoulder. If I was being really picky I'd say the straps were a little tight and some riders may prefer white so it's less noticeable under pale jerseys. Other than that, these are a very solid choice at the mid-range price point. 

Read more: Sportful Women's Classic Bib Shorts full review

Best on a budget

In a world where bib shorts costing eyewatering figures are commonplace, it’s refreshing to see a top-quality pair retailing for significantly less. dhb makes its Aeron shorts from Italian M.I.T.I. fabric designed to shrug off abrasion and maintain its elasticity over a hard life, and best of all it's made from recycled yarns. It doesn't quite match the Alé Green Road Lady pair standards, but it's great to see environmental considerations becoming a high priority for big brands. 

Inside is a Paris HP Elastic Interface chamois, it's a highly regarded option and crosses over several cycling disciplines, which gives the shorts great versatility from short races, to all day in the saddle rides. 

We found there was very little to fail with the dhb Aeron shorts,  with our tester saying they were the best shorts she'd worn in a long time. Available in male and female fits.

Read more: dhb Aeron women's bib shorts full review

The Foundation is the most affordable of Velocio's bib shorts. Based on the design of the flagship Signature the Foundation has a thinner chamois but the same high proportion of recycled materials. 

We found the Foundation shorts to be comfortable and supportive, with the panelled design easily accommodating all the lumps and bumps of your legs and bum. The compression fit makes the bibs appear a little on the small side and we did find the leg grippers and shoulder elastic a bit on the tight side.

The FlyFree easy-pee design is brilliantly simple and effective, we were very impressed with its performance - there if you need it, completely unobtrusive if you don't.  

Read more: Velocio Women's Foundation Bib Short full review

Australian brand MAAP focuses on producing kit which is both high-performing and sustainable. As the name suggests, the MAAP also now has a shorter-legged version to sit alongside its popular Team Bib Evo.

The Evos have a compressive design with relatively thick but highly breathable material. The bibs themselves have wide, comfortable elastic straps and a ribbed waistband. There's a broad elastic leg hem with a silicon gripper to hold everything in place. 

We found the Evos were comfortable and the chamois low-bulk chamois performed excellently on rides of various duration. In line with MAAP’s ethos, the bibs are constructed from bluesign materials that are produced by sustainable methods. This is great to see, however the finishing of our test sample lacked the quality that we'd expect at this price.

Read more: MAAP Women's Team Bib Evo (short version) full review 

The FS260-Pro shorts are really impressive, as when lined up with the other three shorts above, they are less than half the price of them and still have a lot to offer.

Our tester felt that there were very few compromises with chamois comfort; the pad (using gel inserts) might be marginally weightier, wider and less breathable, but its pressure-relieving capabilities are just as good as the others. 

The fabrics are exceptionally soft, with hardly any sign of compression. However, unlike Cafe du Cycliste's Adeline (which also offered very little compression), the FS260 Pros didn't budge thanks to some very effective leg grippers. 

Endura's DropSeat™ function is one of the only zip/clasp-free systems that doesn't put excess strain through seams and fabrics. However, there's a trade-off in terms of breathability; you might well suffer from a sweaty lower back in warmer conditions due to the layered fabrics that make up DS. It's worth knowing that Endura also has a zip-verson of the FS260-Pros though. 

We felt that these were the most inclusive pair of shorts in our test; ideal for newcomers to the sport with their modest price tag, three color options, a decent chamois and an easy bio-break system. Only compression and breathability fell short, elements that aren't necessarily everyone's priorities. 

Read more: Endura Women's FS260-Pro Bib Shorts DS full review

Out of the pairs of shorts in the test, the Adelines proved to be a favorite for 'casual' riding. Their unique styling, super soft fabrics and quality chamois made them an ideal choice for gentle cafe rides and long, lazy days with friends. They certainly turn heads when lined up against conventional black shorts. 

Our tester didn't find the fit of the full bib to her liking; the Adelines are better suited to those with a shorter-than-average body. Fabrics here are not overly breathable either, so these aren't the best shorts for deep, sweat-inducing efforts. 

While leg length is about average, you'll likely end up with a short-short - the grippers aren't so effective. Due to the fabrics being silky soft, gliding over the body, you won't notice this is happening.

We felt that these shorts were ideal for those not so keen on donning traditional, compressive lycra but who refused to compromise on comfort in the saddle, or style. Unfortunately, the price isn't as inclusive as the design. 

Read more: Cafe du Cycliste Adeline Fade Women's Bib Shorts full review

Most of the comfort in these shorts comes thanks to the 8mm of memory foam chamois and S7 'waffle design' alongside the 'goldenGate' - which means the pad is attached at the front and rear, allowing for movement and 'float'. It's the same chamois that's used in the much loved Assos T.Laalalai bib shorts and Habu Laalalai S7 tights

The leg grippers are also really wide and graduate towards the center, meaning they stay put without digging in around the thighs. 

While the waist rises up at the back to ensure no bare skin is ever exposed, the front did dip a bit too low and was slightly too compressing for optimal middle comfort.  

Since we reviewed these, waist shorts have seen a bit of a renaissance, thanks to most of us spending a lot more time cycling inside, or shorter commutes, which make bib shorts seem a little OTT. 

Read more: Assos UMA GT half shorts full review

Castelli Velocissima 3 Bibshort

Castelli is a tried-and-true brand for men’s and women’s cycling apparel alike.
The Castelli Velocissima 3 Bibshort has a great feel to its fabric—almost linen-like in the sense that the fabric is a bit rough to the touch, but ends up feeling soft and breathable once on your body. 

The proprietary “Kiss Air 2” Donna chamois featured in the Velocissima 3 has a honeycomb padding design sewn atop a thicker piece of padding. The honeycomb padding feels almost spongy in a good way with no hotspots and the chamois features variable thickness throughout, with slightly less padding on the front outer edges of the chamois and more padding where the soft tissue and Sitz bone rest. 

The two drawbacks of these bibs are that the fabric becomes see-through with little effort and the fabric is quite slick. When pulling on the bibs, the sheen of them immediately showed my hip tattoo through the fibers, and a quick turnaround check in the mirror showed that my bum was dangerously close to leaving little to the imagination when bending over. Additionally, when seated upright on my saddle, the fabric of these bibs didn’t “grip” well on the small rubber lines of my seat, causing me to need to scoot backwards frequently to maintain my preferred position on the saddle.

Overall, though, these bibs are true to size, sweat dries quickly in them, the straps are comfortable with no digging into the shoulders, and the thigh grippers are effective and provide solid compression.

If you're a fan of Castelli, the Cycling Weekly team also tested Castelli Premio Black Women's Bib Shorts and Castelli Free Aero 4 Women's Bib Shorts Team—check them out! 

Pearl Izumi Podium Plus Bib Shorts

Pearl Izumi is an industry veteran and budget-friendly brand that provides quality cycling clothes that won’t break the bank. The Podium Plus shorts are less than $100 USD—a fraction of the price of the MAAP Pro Bib 2.0 which clocks in at $355 USD. 

The chamois in the Pearl Izumi Podium Plus is ultra-plush, which may be a pro for some and a con for others. The multi-layered padding is apparent and is exceptionally thick where the Sitz bone makes contact with the chamois. Again—a pro for some and a con for others is that the chamois is quite wide compared to the likes of the Castelli Velocissima 3 or the MAAP Pro Bib 2.0. This provides extra coverage for those who need it but can be too bulky for those who prefer a slimmer chamois profile. 

The Podium Plus will make its wearer feel quite “secure” in its fit—a “high-waisted” fit in the front means that the fabric extends well above the belly button, ending at the bottom of the ribcage. Additionally, a maze of straps ensures that your front and back are totally covered, even featuring a clip to secure the straps in the front. Despite all of this, the shorts do feature an “easy pee” design, with extra-stretchy fabric in the back allowing the wearer to pull down the bibs without needing to remove the straps for a quick bathroom break.

One drawback is that the shorter inseam plus mediocre thigh grippers mean that the fabric covering the thighs can ride up over time—not aggressively so, but just enough that the rider needs to tug the legs back into place after shifting around as if moving from seated to standing.

MAAP Pro Bib 2.0 Shorts

The MAAP Pro Bib 2.0 is for the rider who wants to look and feel sleek and aerodynamically “slippery” whether out for a training ride or pinning on a race number. 

Arguably the most aerodynamically advanced of all the bibs tested in this guide, the Pro Bib 2.0 features dimpled leg fabric to reduce drag and increase aerodynamic air flow. The leg seams sit perfectly flush against the thighs, once again done intentionally to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics. 

The actual fabric is smooth but not glossy—a “rough” almost hydrophobic feel that ends up providing a strong level of compression when worn and wicking away sweat effectively. The chamois isn’t as bulky as other bibs such as the Pearl Izumi Podium Plus, but it still provides a solid level of comfort whether for an hour-long race or an all-day ride. 

The drawbacks of these bibs are that they are incredibly expensive at $355 USD and that there is no “easy pee” design feature built in. Given that these are performance-geared bibs, neither of these drawbacks is surprising, but for those who care less about aerodynamics and performance bibs are more about overall comfort, ease of use, and your budget - other options like the Pearl Izumi Podium Plus or the dhb Aeron are a better choice. 

Best no frills cargo bib

The Velocio Utility Bib Shorts are no nonsense, no-frills-attached bib shorts that just get you where you need to be going...

In testing, we thought the standout feature was the “FlyFree” design, which enables women to take easier bathroom breaks thanks to extra-stretchy fabric above the tailbone. It's as simple as pulling the bibs down; the straps don't even need to be removed—a bit of a game changer if you need to go when you're out on a remote gravel road.

The chamois is Velocio’s proprietary Signature Chamois, the same one found their Ultralight road shorts. It's a thick chamois that mutes vibrations caused by gravel and it doesn't feel too bulky when you're off the bike.

The Utility shorts' three pockets are deep and have the capacity to hold everything you could need like a flat kit, nutrition, phone—you name it. Our only qualm was the lack of extra security on the pockets like the Assos Uma GTC shorts have. That said, the nutrition we stored in our pockets while testing stayed put but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

This shorts come in around $300 USD while alternatives like the Assos Uma GTC shorts are $280 USD and Le Col Sport Cargo Bib Shorts II are about $240 USD. Sure, it's only a $20-60 price difference, but that could be enough for some riders to shop elsewhere. 

Best heavy duty bib

Specialized’s new Prime SWAT Bib Shorts are an interesting pair of shorts. Here's how they tested...

The Prime SWAT Bib Shorts offer four pockets. In testing, we found the thigh pocket (one on each leg) had a nice ergonomic design that makes it easy to slide your hand in and out of the pocket without fumbling for its opening. The other two pockets are near where the straps connect with the low back fabric of the shorts and can hold a couple of gels, a CO2 canister or other small items. These two pockets are a bit harder to reach while riding, requiring the rider to push up their jersey to access these pockets—but all in all it wasn’t any great effort. A clasp or flap to provide further security for your cherished nutrition, phone or flat kit would also be a handy addition...

The chamois is quite dense and provides more-than-sufficient padding to mute vibrations from the road or trail. The chamois is great while riding, but could be considered a bit too bulky for comfortable “hike-a-bike” moments when walking alongside your bike.

Our only qualm was the fit. The tightness around the midsection was noticeable during the test ride, but did not feel so constrictive as to make breathing or expanding/relaxing core muscles difficult. But the bib shorts shone in other ways: “heavy duty” coverage makes for a very secure feel in the shorts, albeit perhaps a bit too secure with how tight the midsection is. 

Best fabric feel

The Pearl Izumi Expedition Bib Short is the gravel sister of the Pearl Izumi Podium Bib Short. So what's the difference? Well, the two are nearly identical except Expedition features two pockets, one on each thigh, and it uses Pearl Izumi’s “Elite” line of chamois.

Speaking of which, The chamois is very dense. It's one of the “Elite” line of chamois is designed to distribute body weight over a larger area for more comfort and features a moisture wicking boundary layer along with its two layers of medium and high density foam. The chamois felt great over many hilly gravel miles, but was a wee bit dense when walking alongside the bike in “hike-a-bike” fashion.

We've tested a lot gravel bibs and most use a rougher fabric. These Pearl Izumi Expedition Bib Shorts use silky smooth fabric, which after multiple miles on the trails, is a refreshing change from the tougher, more utilitarian fabrics.

For those who like to feel “locked in” with their bibs, the Expedition nails it. The ultra-high waistband comes up to the bottom of the rib cage, and the shoulder straps are secured in the front by a sternum-level clasp. No matter how we moved on the bike, the straps and stomach-area fabric stayed put.

What wasn’t quite as locked in were the thighs. The thigh grippers on these shorts are significantly smaller than others on this list such as the Specialized Prime SWAT Bib Shorts and it showed. The thin line of grippers were mediocre at best and necessitated a few tugs at the lower thigh fabric to resituate the preferred positioning of the fabric. This wasn’t incessantly annoying, but was noticeably less great than others in this list, like the aforementioned Specialized bibs.

Lastly, the Expedition pockets are compressive, but do not feature a clasp or pocket flap for extra security. This isn’t unique to the Expedition - a lot of gravel-specific cargo bibs don’t - but we wish more brands would. The last thing you want is to lose your nutrition, phone or flat kit after ripping a particularly technical section.

Turbo/exercise bike specific women's cycling shorts

With the huge rise in the number of riders heading inside, some brands have dedicated ranges, and we’ve even selected our best indoor cycling clothingkit for indoor sessions in a separate buyers guide.

These generally come with slightly more padding, to counter more time in the saddle and are designed to be more breathable and sweat-wicking than standard shorts.

If you're wondering about the best home training setup up then our guides on the best exercise bikes or best turbo trainers can help answer all your questions and recommend the ideal indoor riding experience for you.

To avoid drowning in sweat when training indoors, the dhb Aeron turbo waist shorts are constructed from a lightweight, breathable fabric, with an even lighter fabric along the quads.

Its Elastic Interface Paris HP Super pad by Cytech is geared to deal with sweat – featuring perforations to allow for greater airflow. Our sweat test found that these shorts were true to their word and kept our tester drier than a pair of 'non-turbo' waist shorts from Assos. The firm but protective chamois was effective in providing comfort too.

As mentioned above, there's not lots on offer in terms of specific indoor cycling kit yet, and we do expect more on the market soon to offer a better comparison, but if you are a sweaty betty when training inside, these could be just the ticket for you. 

Read more: dhb Aeron Turbo indoor women’s shorts full review

In a time that has seen us take to indoor cycling way more than we ever expected, the NoPinz SubZero shorts offer an innovative way to stay cool, thanks to frozen gel packs. 

When administered with ideal timing, the gel packs that set the SubZero shorts apart are useful, and they do make tough sessions feel that tiny bit easier.

The pad is comfortable and the fabric is breathable, though the near-naked appearance means you’d not be able to get additional use from these by wearing them outside.

A great option for anyone undertaking indoor racing and looking for every performance gain possible. There aren't really a lot of options for indoor-specific kit on the market just yet, but with the huge popularity of online racing, we suspect that will grow. 

In the meantime, they are certainly a rival for the more expensive Wahoo X Le Col pair that was awarded near full marks and definitely beats popping some frozen peas down your shorts.  

There are three colors available and both female and male fit options in sizes XS to XXL.

Read more: NoPinz SubZero shorts full review

Best for going from spin to strength

As you’d expect, “The Cycling Short” does precisely that…It’s a basic indoors cycling short. Nothing fancy, no frills and no real issues, either.

In testing, we found the Cycling Short fits true to size and once you slip them on, you’re ready for a spin class or indoor ride. The chamois is perfect for 60-90 minute rides, but you might start to feel it for rides longer than that. That said, the chamois is thin enough that you could easily stretch, do some core work or even a weight lifting session all while still in The Cycling Short.

At $120 USD, the shorts are on the pricier side of the market. In this price range you start veer closer to other bib shorts with chamois and fabric, such as the Pearl Izumi Podium Plus or the Castelli Velocissima 3. In our testing, we did find that there is a bit of excess fabric towards the groin area that can bunch up especially after high cadence efforts. It’s not enough to cause significant chafing or discomfort, but is enough to need a tug back into place every so often while riding.

Best for a quick indoor ride

If you’re looking for cycling shorts for indoor sessions lasting 60 minutes or less, then the Castelli Insider 2 might be for you…

In testing, we found the shorts fit true to size with a nice compression to them—just the right amount to feel snug in the shorts but not so much as to feel like a sausage. Which leads us on to the chamois..

The Insider 2 chamois is the definition of “barely there” —the padding is minimal, but comfortable enough to ride for about an hour before starting to shift around on the saddle. It has Castelli’s classic honeycomb padding design is present as with the Velocissima 3, but the extra layer of padding beneath the honeycomb (again, as with the Velocissima 3) is not included in the Insider 2.

Just like the Adidas’ The Cycling Short, the result of a thin The Cycling Short, the Insider 2 could easily be worn for yoga, core workout or even a weight lifting session.

The Insider 2 is highly breathable and lightweight, and much of that stems from the thigh cutouts, which feature perforated fabric (so yes, the outer thigh area is definitely see-through). This allows for tons of breathability and sweat wicking, but could be uncomfortable for those who don’t like to show so much skin. Rest assured, the groin and behind areas are covered in non-see-through fabric, though.

Best for a longer indoor ride

If the name didn’t give it away, the Velocio Ultralight bibs are indeed “ultralight”. The medium we tested weighs in at just 150g and holding the bibs in your hand feels like holding hardly anything at all.

But how does it perform?

The chamois is thick enough to be comfortable during longer indoor rides, but not so bulky as to become sweat-logged or chafe while sitting in the same position on the trainer or a spin bike for long periods of time. The Ultralight bib straps have a nice horizontal strap about three quarters of the way up the back connecting the two shoulder straps, so no matter how sweaty you become, you won’t experience any shoulder strap slippage. Plus, The “easy pee” design  with extra-stretchy fabric just above the tailbone makes for an easy way to pull down the bibs without removing the straps for a quick restroom stop.

These bibs are $260 USD, which is getting up there in price (but not all the way - the MAAP Pro 2.0 Bibs are $355 USD). Spending $260 may cause you to raise an eyebrow when considering that the Ultralight fabric is a tad rough - it didn’t cause any chafing or discomfort while riding, but be warned that these aren’t silky smooth bibs like the Rapha Core bibs. The fabric is also a smidge see-through when stretched, such as when bending forward for a more aero position or when standing to climb. This may not matter as much if you’re riding solo in an indoors pain cave, but could be frustrating for some.

Best for dense padding without bib straps

The Bontrager Vella Indoors Shorts are just perfect for an indoor ride or spin class. Featuring wide and grippy thigh bands, an ultra high waistband, and an excellent chamois, the fabric in these shorts sit in place really well, even after cadence changes or moving from standing to sitting. 

In testing we liked the thoughtful design on the chamois. It has varied thickness, with more padding towards the Sitz bone and less towards the soft tissue. This chamois was the most similar to traditional bib shorts of the indoor pairs tested—thick enough to provide comfort for more than an hour, but not so dense as to feel sweat-logged after a heated indoor ride. 

Our only qualm is that the left-leg pocket is quite small. It would be a stretch, literally, to think of putting a smartphone in that pocket and having it stay in the pocket during a ride. The pocket can accommodate a gel or two, car keys, or something like a gym membership card. We would be wary of storing anything particularly valuable in the pocket as it is not super compressive and has no clasp or flap to secure it. 

Buyer's guide to women's cycling shorts and bib shorts

How we test

More than any other piece of cycling clothing, comfortable shorts are both vital and highly subjective, so these shorts have been tested by different women. Fit, feel and comfort are all important factors when assessing the shorts, as are quality and durability. Of course, many hours of saddle time have gone into the test, allowing the shorts to be judged after a few washes too, rather than just when they are box-fresh.